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THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC «The assembly has created and drawn up the Constitution as a pact of friends- hip and fraternity of the entire Italian people, to whom it entrusts this docu- ment so that they jealously guard it and execute it in a regulated manner.» Umberto Terracini A pact of friendship and fraternity. This was the aim of Umberto Terracini – one of the three with De Gasperi and De Nicola who signed the Constitution. These were the words he used in 1947 to present the most important text of Italian legislation to the Italian popu- lation. It was a time in which those emigrating were the Italians. They left for the United States, Germany and Canada. Now, after many years, when so many people arrive every day in Italy from all over the world, to settle and adapt, I believe that this pact is more valid and effective than ever. Friendship and fraternity. The invitation by Terracini to extend our hand, to become brothers with all, was aimed at a country and population just emerging from a civil war. The two words invited peace and civil union. In fact what is friendship, if not a relationship in which two or more men and women meet, get to know one another, influence one another, transform reciprocally, trying never to impose their views with force? What is fraternity if not E a way of seeking, every day, even at cost, peaceful harmony? S E L We need to consider the context in which the Constitution was launched. Italy was, G N immediately after fascism and the war, a profoundly divided country, scarred by deep I wounds, sharp contrasts, misogyny, and head-on clashes due to diversity of history, geo- graphy, class and culture. A remedy was needed for situations of poverty, conflict, abuse of power, exploitation and violence. What was needed was freedom, equality, peace. For this reason, the Italian constitution assigns the Republic – in article 3 – the task of removing, eli- minating all these economic and social obstacles that prevent the equality of citizens. Because freedom is impossible without equality. Just as the full human development and effective participation of all, men and women, in the political, economic and social organisation of the country cannot happen without it. Another aspect of Terracini's discourse that I like to recall. The fate of our constitu- tion, he says, lies with the Italian people. The people must be its executor. The executor and the guardian. What then is an executor? Someone who transforms a written text into practi- cal life, concrete actions, feelings, aspirations, and needs. A law, even the best one, does not come to life unless it becomes the common practice of men and women. It is us, the men and women now living in Italy, Italians and immigrants, who should ensure that no conflict, such as that in the time of fascism and the war, returns. We should be the ones who see to it that racism, exploitation, abuse of power do not reappear or to ensure that they are eliminated where such situations unfortunately exist. Those choosing to live in Italy have the duty to mediate to ensure that the law is adapted to changing realities. What we have before us today is a situation of fragmentation, solitude, social complexity, undergoing rapid and continuous change. Uncertainty, instability, and fear of difference are part of our existence. Shutting ourselves away, fencing ourselves off and excluding others serve very little to overcome this problem. Instead we should renew the pact of social harmony, the idea propo- THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC 55 sed by Terracini in 1947. We should see difference as an asset, exchange as a resource. Italy is now larger, made up of women and men born in Italy and those from other countries. All together, these people represent our great opportunity. All these men and women are holders of inviolable rights. Our constitution states this fact clearly. And this is our precise charter. The inviolable rights apply to all, and are listed one by one. There is the right to freedom of movement, the right of peaceful assembly, the freedom to practise religious faiths, the right to freely express thoughts and not to be submitted to measures of security unless with specific guarantees. All have the right to study, employment, education of their children, organisation in unions, as stated on our charter of rights. A modern and culturally advanced charter of rights. A char- ter that recognises rights, freedom, equality, as we said. And which requires the fulfilment of duties. By all. Nothing more is needed for a pact of social harmony There is no need for a new con- stitution or special regulations for immigrants. Whoever lives in Italy must thus accept this binding pact of social harmony. And the basis of this pact is right here, just as in 1947, in the Constitution. For a society that respects equal dignity, the fundamental rights of each person, and the binding duties to others and the entire population. For this reason we wish to and must promote and re-launch the Constitution, to spread the word among immigrants and Italians by birth who still do not know it well. We have to discuss it at the workplace, in schools, public offices, so that, together with the Italian language, it becomes a factor of social integration and cultural diffusion. Those living in Italy for years and those recently arrived need to return to talk of the fundamental principles of our democracy. The Constitution must not only be respected by all, but belongs to all and is for all those living in Italy. A pact based on the recognition of differences and respect for responsi- bilities in communal life. On the basis of these principles we need to attempt to build social harmony for all, across the country, in local communities, in municipalities and districts. To build Italy and the Italians of the future; whether born in Italy or elsewhere. Paolo Ferrero Ministry of Social Solidarity 56 THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC THE CONSTITUTION AND COEXISTENCE Renewing the coexistence pact to reinforce democracy. A growing number of men and women here are living in multiethnic communities, where different nationalities, languages, cultures and religions coexist, and bring about deep-rooted changes. Immigration is a challenge for our democracy as we run the risk that a distorted repre- sentation of the phenomenon will lead society to adopt narrow-minded, apprehensive and diffi- dent attitudes; conversely, immigration might be an opportunity for establishing a new culture of coexistence, starting precisely from the reality and the real problems it brings. Despite the daily experience of millions of people having contributed to a positive deve- lopment of relations between Italians and foreigners, immigrants to Italy still endure a preva- lently negative image in public opinion and this fosters discrimination and social marginalization that must be defeated in no uncertain terms. A new social pact is required, founded on an equilibrium of individual rights and obliga- tions, embracing personal freedom and collective responsibilities. We need mechanisms for inclusion that will ensure rights and dignity for all. Above all, we must encourage mutual kno- wledge, the meeting and exchange of cultures intended in the dynamic, not the static sense, unchanging, promoting frontline roles for migrants, with consequent assumption of responsibi- lity in integration processes, starting with the new generations. The “Città Aperte” [Open Cities] E S project is putting forward these objectives and pinpoints the Constitution as the compass that will E L point to the commitment required to achieve these aims. G N I Our Constitution is the foundation on which the pact for civilized coexistence was built, allowing Italy to grow into a solid democracy, with generous popular participation, pluralism, culture of the “public welfare”. This pact must be reinforced and renewed to face up to the modi- fications that are affecting society, the arrival of new figures, new needs, new rights in that society. Yet again, however, it is the foresight and equilibrium of our Constitution’s principles that will provide us with the answers we seek. That is why we decided to translate the Italian Constitution into the ten languages most commonly spoken amongst immigrants living in Italy. We intend to make this the underpinning of a campaign to raise public awareness and consideration, especially amongst Italian and foreign youth. We shall promote encounters and exchanges amongst citizens of different nationalities in municipalities, schools, neighbourhoods and meeting places, so that the reality of these princi- ples in the light of the various cultures that are represented can be discussed and communicated. We are certain that all this will encourage a process of reciprocal awareness and ackno- wledgement in our local communities, and offer a solid contribution to the collective and wide- spread commitment that must be implemented if we are to establish a new culture of coexisten- ce for a multiethnic society. Rome, 25 May 2007 Paolo Beni President of ARCI THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC 57 Do the Italians really know the principles of the Constitution in depth? This question is often posed, and virtually always accompanied by a negative response, alongside the pres- sing need for more attention to civic education, especially aimed at young people. To be aware of the foundations of the Italian State, of the ideas that inspired the rules of legislative guidelines at the basis of Italian law, should be a conscientious commitment of every citizen. But we can hardly hide the fact that it is just not so. For this reason, special favour should be given to the iniative of ARCI, with the project <Città aperte> (“Open cities”) with a translation of the constitution into ten languages.